WORKFLOW 02
This workflow uses a cloud of points, as centers of the created bubbles.

Mathematical theories, such as Turing’s Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis explains self organisation through reaction diffusion that leads to pattern formation in nature

We further investigated actions of agents in a self-organising system within the framework of reaction-diffusion theory. Our exploration gravitated towards the action & counter-action of agents that underlies reaction-diffusion, and less on mathematical formula interpretation in grasshopper and the resultant patterns it produces. In Turing’s reaction diffusion model, there is the activator agent (A) that autocatalyses and produces more of itself and also more of another agent (I). Agent I, also known as the inhibitor,  reacts with agent A and suppresses the production of more agents A. This activator-inhibitor relationship can also be found in social insects such as termites and bees; these insects interact and create forms as a result of autocatalyctic positive feedback and inhibitory negative feedback combined with specific environmental features

COMPUTATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Also through the use of Anemone, we developed 2 workflows for action and counter-action within a system.

WORKFLOW 01
This workflow uses a vector field to diffuse  two agents (A and B) within a boundary. The two agents also react with each other to increase and reduce their quantities within the system. We created a voronoi base where the concentration of respective agents are calculated within each cell. The cells change colour  as follows:

• Grey = Agent A > Agent B
• Black = Agent B > Agent A

Post anemone, we connected neighbouring similar-coloured cells using ‘proximity 2D’ resulting in a maze-like pattern we hoped to achieve. 

WORKFLOW 02
In this workflow, we employed a more direct interpretation of the activator-inhibitor system. We started with two sets of agents moving within different vector fields. One set of agents (A) activating the region, and the other set, (agent B), moving through and limiting the movements of agents A. We finished by mapping the paths of agents B to create a maze-like pattern. 

• Agent A = Activator (Occuping space)
• Agent B = Inhibitor (passing through)

Post anemone, we connected the points from the anemone output; meshed the lines to generate mesh shadow lines resulting in varying maze-like patterns.

INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCES

The warming huts competition has seen a number of vibrant entries constructed in the context since its inception in 2010. We drew inspiration from many of these huts constructed to attract visitors through their playfulness, where simple elements acquire different functions, and through their use of peculiar materials. 

Weatherman W H by Jaimee Studios

Left – Nuzzles by Raw Design Inc; Right – The Hole Idea by Weiss Architecture

 We also considered using ice as a material, considering the icy climate of Winnipeg and drawing conclusions of previous experiments made with it.  In this example, the Pykrete Dome currently holds the record as the largest ice dome ever built, It is created by inflatable forms on which fiber-reinforced ice composite known as “pykrete” is sprayed.

Pykrete Dome, Eindhoven University of Technology

PARAMETRIC DESIGN PROCESS

• Firstly, a maze-like spatial configuration is generated using the second computational workflow from the agent based systems, where visitors and skaters become activators and inhibitors.
• Bubble clusters are generated using point cloud method. These bubbles are generated on the islands formed by the maze patterns and the serve as the base geometry for the next step.
• Finally, mesh fabric surfaces are draped over the bubble geometry through Kangaroo to create a final structure.
  

  Form-finding workflow

In order to ensure that the structure was structurally stable, the geometry was run through structural optimisation process where the Galapagos evolutionary solver was used to generate and select geometries that minimised displacements and surface areas of the draped surface while maximising the average utilisation and areas for opening in the structure. To maximise in galapagos, we inverted figures by dividing by one before multiplying with other fitness values. This way, selecting minimising overall fitness values will have the opposite effect on the utilisation and opening goals. Final iteration selected was based on optimum headroom access vis-a-vis least displacement value.

Inspired by the Corogami hut,  we considered using wet fabric as a material  which would harden with time. The pavilion consists of three layers: Supporting steel structure , an outer skin ( wet rachel knitted fabric), and an inner skin ( colourful foam). A light gauge steel frame, defined by the quad cells of the surface mesh, serves as framework to support the wet rachel knitted fabric skin (durable enough) and also to hold the colourful interior foam. The beams are connected through circular joiners making connections at different angles possible,. The foams piece into one another and plug into the frame grid to create a dynamic and continuously changing structure in the landscape. Here, we played with a contrast of materials : strong – soft, white – colorful, cold-warm. The white and wetted outer fabric skin will freeze and become strong while the plush foam interior is soft, playful and leverages the insulating properties of foam to create a warm interior.